In the postwar era, Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony sought to bring a refined European sensibility to French repertoire, and the 1958 sessions for RCA’s Living Stereo series represent one of their most ambitious endeavors. This album juxtaposes two French works that reflect contrasting sides of French musical identity: Maurice Ravel’s urbane, modernist concerto, and Vincent d’Indy’s more Romantic, pastoral symphony. Together, they present a spectrum of French expression, from the sparkling modernity of Parisian jazz-influenced soundscapes to the earthy charm of the Cévennes countryside, offering listeners a vivid panorama of French musical artistry in the early 20th century.
Recorded on March 24, 1958, at Symphony Hall, Boston, the sessions were engineered by Lewis Layton. RCA’s Living Stereo technology ensured clarity in the midrange and treble, with naturalistic hall acoustics. The piano is well-balanced within the orchestral framework, this remastering enhances clarity, low-end presence, and overall fidelity. The recording conveys a sense of immediacy and presence, allowing the listener to feel intimately connected with both the performers and the music. Subtle hall reverberations and careful microphone placement add depth without compromising the transparency that is so characteristic of the Living Stereo series.
Artist(s): Conductor – Charles Munch
Orchestra – Boston Symphony Orchestra
Piano – Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer
Recording Info: Recorded at Symphony Hall, Boston, on 24 March 1958
Engineer – Lewis Layton
Producer – Richard Mohr
Sourced from a RCA Living Stereo original pressing
Components used for this transfer: Analog: Transferred using a VPI - HW-40 Anniversary Direct Drive Turntable - Cartridge used Ortofon MC Anna - Merrill Audio Jens Phono Preamp
Digital: Merging Anubis Analog to Digital Converter powered by Teddy Pardo Linear Power Supply, clocked by an Antelope Audio 10MX Atomic Clock
Power Conditioning: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 for all components
All components grounded to Shunyata ALTAIRA Hubs
Piano Concerto In G
1 Allegramente 8:11
2 Adagio Assai 8:47
3 Presto 4:12
Symphony On A French Mountain Air, Op. 25
4 Assez Lent 10:51
5 Assez Modéré Mais Sans Lenteur 6:47
6 Animé 7:33

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